“What is it that keeps us from starting down the road to wholeness? It is not that God turns our contrite hearts away. It’s just that we do not always allow ourselves to go to such depth and vulnerability. Instead, we claw and grasp and reach and strain to stay afloat by our own efforts. All the while Jesus wants us to face the end of ourselves so He can fully begin.” ~{w}hole
{wholeness: soul wellness}
There is no perfect life, no perfect marriage, family, or any earthly thing. This, I know.
And yet, there is a place inside of me that still wishes I can be – that today will be the day that every hair falls in place, every flaw melts away, every second is filled with sweetness.
My humanity holds onto the idea that in order to have a full life, it must always go perfectly well. The truth is, it never always will.
I have come to believe that God is gracious to allow us the lesson early, even in the small things that hurt so big – the playground words that have never left us, the way our nose was oversized and other kids noticed…how our parents didn’t have much money and how that made us learn about struggle before we really understood it. Because it is in our perception of perfection, oftentimes, that we miss the richness of reality.
Our life won’t be perfect.
But it can be well.
A life that is always safe, always predictable, always able to be controlled by our wants and our will speaks to our fleshly desire for perfection.
But a life that knows true and lasting peace, joy, a thriving relationship with Jesus, a passion for the Gospel, and core fulfillment speaks to our soul’s need to be whole.
While the world around us may change, soul wellness is about the permanency of God.
- Loving the messy church, despite its flaws…remembering that our religion is something different than our God.
- Enjoying a deep, thriving relationship with God whereby we feel a palpable sense of His presence on our daily journey.
- Caring about people we have never met, simply because the Gospel has infected us and we can’t live apart from its Cause.
- Having peace — an inexplicably settled spirit and eternal perspective — even when the world does not play nice.
- Living with joy that comes from a deep, organic place and lasts longer than brief, happy moments.
- Experiencing fulfillment of the lasting kind that helps us live out our passion and purpose.
A perfect life says…I want to impress other people.
A whole life says…I don’t need others to say I’m worthy.
A perfect life says…things can’t ever go wrong.
A whole life says…when things go wrong, my soul can still be well.
My friends, until the day we finally see Jesus and become whole in the most completed sense…may we come to the end of ourselves so He can fully begin.
***
Connect with Lisa on her blog HERE.
Order your copy of {w}hole HERE.
Download a FREE chapter one, HERE.
There’s still time to be entered in the giveaway to win 1 of 3 copies of Lisa’s book. Simply leave a comment on Wednesday’s post answering this: What is one of the holes that you struggle with in your life?
Winners will be announced on Monday.
Leave a Comment
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says
“But a life that knows true and lasting peace, joy, a thriving relationship with Jesus, a passion for the Gospel, and core fulfillment speaks to our soul’s need to be whole.”
This is beautiful Lisa! And so true!
I just write a post about my soul singing….what a wonderful feeling it is!
http://charinabrooks.wordpress.com
Blessings!
Lisa Whittle says
Thank you for sharing, Charina. May we both continue to travel down the whole road.
Audry Cece says
What a great post, Lisa! God definitely just used this to speak some things to me.
I just love His promises and love toward us!!
Lisa Whittle says
Grateful, Audry. Thank you for letting me know what the post meant to you.
Holley says
So glad you’re here with us, Lisa!
Lisa Whittle says
Holley…it’s truly been my honor. Thank you. What brave, beautiful women connect here!
Jennifer says
There are so many things in this post that speak directly to my heart. Thank you.
Lisa Whittle says
Thankful that our God connects hearts through words. Take care, Jennifer. Use this moment to press deeper into Him.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Loved having you share your {w}hole places with us this week, Lisa. Thank you.
Lisa Whittle says
Have loved every moment, Lisa-Jo. Thank you for the privilege.
Beth Williams says
Beautiful words of wisdom Lisa!
Soo good to know that we don’t have to be perfect or whole to be loved–especially by God! He loves us no matter what!
Liz Gauthier says
“Because it is in our perception of perfection, oftentimes, that we miss the richness of reality”…. I am loving your blog lately bc in your encouragement to accept all the holes in our lives you share so much of your peaceful outlook and remind me not to let the dissapointments be at my center.
Christina Hernandez says
Lisa,
I have been touched by every message I have read from you. I am finally starting to be at peace with the fact that “in this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world” so that I can have joy and fullness of life. Thank you for your vulnerability and transparency.
laura says
OH, my goodness, I have to go to Wednesdays post to try to win a copy of this book! You know I love you, Lisa, and your words resonate so deeply.
Annette Davidson says
A definite hole I have in my life is the ability to stop living in the past and be grateful for each new day the Lord gives us.
Blessings,
Trista says
Thank you, Lisa for your words of reflection! A great way to start my quiet time this morniing!
Shari~Rain into Rainbows says
Oh, this is so very perfect for me.
People ask me all the time how I am. If I say “wonderful!” or something similar, I’m always opening myself up to lots of questions from those who don’t understand chronic, progressive diseases. But at the same time, I want to say that I indeed AM well. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be, but I’m well.
I’m well.
Sara Campbell says
Such a wonderful thing to see Him work in wonderful ways